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Sky users advised to change default password on supplied Netgear wireless routers

Recent news has been circulating about the default security settings used on some Sky broadband routers that could leave it with a security flaw.

Any Sky subscribers who got a free (relabelled) Netgear DG834GT wireless router from Sky should have found that wireless security is switched on, and uses WPA-PSK Encryption for security, with a default password.

This is great in practice, as it will ensure that those users who may otherwise not have even set up security settings will have it on when they receive the router.  Howver, several websites have reported that the default password used in the WPA-PSK Encryption option is generated using the router’s MAC address (a number that uniquely identifies the router on the network), and this number is broadcast on the WiFi network. 

This means it is easier to work out the password for the router and gain access to the wireless network.  The news started to spread following a query about security settings on the Sky User message board, an unofficial support forum for Sky subscribers.

The best advice for users is to set a new password in the router options as is also recommended by Sky at their wireless security page.  Of course, if you don’t need to use the wireless aspect of the router, there are also instructions there on how to switch off wireless networking completely.

Since the fact that the method used to for generating the default password has reached a wider audience, it’s important for Sky subscribers to take the simple steps advised.